Meeting July 2026 agenda

The minutes of Oughterside and Allerby Parish Council meeting

held on Tuesday 14^th July 2026 commencing at 7.00pm.

Acting Chair declared the meeting open at 7.00pm

Present: Acting Chair Gladys Hunter (vice chair), Pam Marriott, Julie Gingell, Gary Bolton.

Cumberland Councillor. Not Present

Clerk: Mike Milner.  One member of the public present

660.00 Apologies for absence: Chair Cllr Lyndsey Preston-Miller, Cllr Martin Harris (CC)

661.00 Declaration of interests: None.

662.00 To read and approve the minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 9^th June 2026.

662.01 Resolved to approve the minutes as a true and accurate record by those who were present at that meeting.

663.00 Public Participation/open session.

663.01 member of the public raised the question of the grass and weeds in the passage way between Pond Green through to Skiddaw View, running past Gholic property. Clerk advised it had been cut last year once, Cllrs agreed unanimously that clerk contact contractor and get it cut and strimmed again ASAP. Clerk to action that evening.

663.02 the grass growing across the footpath between Well Road and Meadow Bank, reducing width for pedestrians. Clerk to investigate later that evening and report.

664.00 Police Matters.

664.01 clerk confirmed police e newsletter duly circulated. Reminded Cllrs Police Teams meeting rearranged for 29^th July, one on 10^th June abandoned, no police presence.

665.00 Matters concerning Cumberland Councillor.

665.01 Cllr Martin Harris not present, but he had sent a report, circulated by the clerk. Hidden dips were an outstanding item and clerk had reminded Cllr M.H. by email.

666.00 Applications for development.

666.01 There were no applications to consider, but he had been made aware of an application for Crown reduction action on trees WTPO/2027/0017 at 3 Salterwath Close which were subject to TPO. Clerk had forwarded the details to local residents who had raised issues with the trees.

667.00 Receive first quarter’s accounts 1^st April to 30^th June 2026, documents       circulated prior to the meeting.

667.01 clerk had circulated all the appropriate ledgers and bank reconciliation documents. No questions raised by councillors, so acting chair confirmed bank statement figures agreed with the bank rec’ document and signed statement accordingly. Cllrs had unanimously resolved to accept the 1^st quarter accounts.

668.00 INSIDE Magazine content distribution.

668.01 clerk apologised for not having completed the magazine yet. It was agreed that once printed deliver 50 copies at Allerby and balance with Cllr P.M.

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669.00 Report by Cllr Gary Bolton on his professional assessment of the tree survey under taken by Tivoli. Coucil to consider his recommendations.

669.01 Cllr G.B circulated hard copies of his report on the trees under discussion and discussed at the June meeting. When he surveyed the trees, he was accompanied by Cllrs P.M and G.H.

669.02 after a discussion Cllrs agreed to accept the recommendations and action in the report. Clerk to contact Tivoli who undertook the original tree survey, to discuss a revised cost for the work proposed and about the disposal of chippings, all branches up to 3” to be chipped and the disposal of the larger logged timbers.

670.00 To consider application for new defibrillator pads for Allerby defibrillator, located at Grow West.

670.01 clerk had received a request for new defibrillator pads for the machine attached to Grow West at Allerby. Total cost £77.94 inc VAT and delivery. Clerk pay by card and reclaim.

Cllrs unanimously approved purchase by clerk on behalf of the council.

671.00 Update on Allerby Red Phone box repair and refurbishment.

671.01 clerk confirmed that since compiling the agenda, the K6 Phone kiosk in Allerby had been painted and he had circulated images of the finished job. Clerk pointed out that the contractor had actually done the preliminary pressure wash, inside and out and added an extra £50 to his quote. This was accepted by Cllrs.

671.02 Cllrs heard the clerk’s explanation of the history of the K6 Telephone Kiosk and that was why due to its historical significance it had been bought by the parish council in March 2010. Cllrs felt that some sort of plaque ought to be fixed to the box because in the future a 1938 designed K6 telephone box will be even more significant in the village of Allerby and the parish. Clerk will investigate and collate some ideas and costings.

672.00 Progress reports, clerk.

672.01 The clerk had ordered and delivered the defibrillator pads for the Prospect Village Hall.

672.02 clerk had various “BOT” exchanges with Home Group, which had eventually provided an email address to contact about the placement of a parish noticeboard on Home Group land at Osborne Place. Home Group had initially thought it was to be at a property. Clerk had sent Screenshot from Google Street view and an ariel shot from same source to clarify then issue. The had received an email saying that Home Group are considering the request.

672.03 The Environmental Health department for Cumberland Council had finally confirmed that morning, after emailed request in April that they would contact the owners of the chickens which had been roaming the Pond Green play area. The officer had contacted clerk that afternoon to confirm the letter had been sent.

673.00 Councillors reports.

673.01 Cllr P.M had been part of the team that had inspected the trees in Oughterside children’s playing field. While there she had taken the opportunity to check on the current facilities for children. She explained changes that could be made to the BMX banking to make it potentially more exciting for its users. She also outlined some changes to both the goal posts in the field, which she felt was never used as a football pitch and also some thoughts on the original and now outdated and delapidated Playdale timber play equipment. Clerk to investigate equipment options and provide some costings. Cllr P.M to provide images of the banking part of the BMX track.

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673.02 Cllr P.M also proposed that perhaps part of the large field should be in the area by the entrance opposite the school should become a dedicated Dog Park. Clerk understood the concept but would have to investigate what rules at national and local level applied as he had never been involved in such a project. Cllrs agreed there were members of the older generation who could certainly utilise such a facility.

673.03 Cllr J.G queried if the road by the school should be 20mph speed limit, Cllr G.B agreed. Clerk will enquire of the school if they had or were involved in such a project.

673.04 Cllr G.H again raised her concerns about the tree growth on the road by River Ellen. She was asked who owned the wall alongside the Prospect village hall boundary with the Miners Arms. Clerk pointed out it was of no interest of the parish council and he would not seek clarification of that question.

674.00 Correspondence.

674.01 invoice received from Clive Bontoft £700.00 repaint/repair Allerby K6 Kiosk.

674.02 Invoice from Prospect Village Hall, hall hire April/May/June £72.00.

674.03 ICO, Data Protection Renewal £52, paid by clerk, for next year.

674.04 email Geocache circulated. Unanimously agreed no micro chip on water pump at Allerby.

674.05 Cllrs home addresses would be redacted from their declaration of office forms.

674.06 emailed letter of thanks from Wigton baths for £100 donation.

674.07 Prospect Village Hall to increase hall hire to £13/hr from July 2026.

674.08 PowerPoint Zero Carbon slides circulated by Calc sent to Cllrs.

674.09 Tivoli had provided July 2026 invoice £692.83.

675.00 Payments for approval.

Intpay 405, M Milner, £680.89, salary £456.96 expenses £223.93.

Intpay 406, HMRC £114.00, PAYE.

Intpay 407, Clive Bontoft, £700.00 repaint K6 Kiosk Allerby

Intpay 408, Prospect Village Hall, £72.00 hall hire.

Intpay 409, Tivoli, £692.83, July grass contract.

All Payments approved.

Meeting closed 8.11pm.

676.00 Date and time of next meeting Tuesday 8^th September 2026 at 7.00pm at Prospect village hall.

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